F-Secure Internet Security 2006

I have a problem with F-Secure Internet Security 2006. Apart from the fact that the list of running processes is absurd, I have been finding for the last few weeks that when I shut down my PC, it hangs on the 'Saving your settings' screen, and I have to power off manually. The problem is rectified 100%, if I first shut down F-Secure, before shutting down my PC. I haven't installed any other security software since loading F-Secure, so I have no idea why this has suddenly started happening. I have sent off an 'fsdiag' to the F-Secure support guys, and they are still looking at it, but I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this issue, and if they found a solution?

This actually brings me on to another issue, and that is the security of 'fsdiag'. When running, it does say that the file may contain information which may be considered 'confidential', and I was slightly concerned as to exactly what data I was sending by unsecured email to the F-Secure support guys, but I took it on trust that these guys are trying to help, and I wouldn't find myself in a position where my privacy or security would be compromised. Nevertheless, it's still a bit of a niggle that needs reassurance.

Whilst I like F-Secure, I find that it's insistence on uninstalling all other security software is a bit off-putting, and I do hope that future versions may be slightly more lenient, where other applications are concerned. I don't mean having two or more security suites installed, but it is nice to have more than one spyware scanner on board, as they all seem to find different things.

Due to the shutdown problem, I am currently using KIS 6.0, which I am now growing quite attached to, and it could take some persuasion for me to go back to F-Secure, even if the shutdown problem can be rectified. How do you folks rate KIS compared with F-Secure?

they are both good but i have been having troubles with f-secure recently so im gonna replace it soon atm i find kis and kjav 6.0 to buggy. so taking ages to startup is all to do with f-secure i thought so soon i will get rid of that piece of software. kaspersky is better and lighter. but for my needs antivir will be better for my needs. i no longer reccomend f-secure. i still reccomend kaspersky and now my favoirte is antivir.lodore

thanks for you help in someways because i have those sort of problems and you have comfermed that it is has been f-secure all the time.

I am 100% positive that KIS is significantly lighter then F-Secure. My start up time has reduced by at least 50%, since installing KIS, and there is only ONE system process running, while F-Secure had about ten or fifteen! Specific target scanning is much quicker as well - quite often F-Secure would hang while scanning specifically targeted files, via the right click menu, and had to be exited via Task Manager. What with the F-Secure shutdown problem, and it's lack of compatability with other software, I think I am becoming convinced to stick with KIS.

By the way, the latest KIS is version 6.0.0.300, and I have found no bugs with the software. They also have a good user forum.

so the startup time is like 50percent faster now is this with the startup scan on?

Click to expand...

Yes indeed, you don't really notice the startup scan if you set it to scan new and changed program files only. The only thing you might want to change is the awful noise it makes if it finds what it thinks it a virus. It's like a live pig being thrown on a barbecue! You can change it in C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0\Skin\sounds, but you have to temporarily disable Self Defence in KIS Settings > Service, or it won't let you change the .wav file.

On my system, the start up scan last probably 6-10 seconds or so, and does not interfere with other programs I bring up, such as MailWasher. Slowdown is negligible and I am willing to trade the few seconds for the additional security I perceive I have.
Having used KAV6 since the last few weeks of the beta I still have not found any bugs. I like it better than anything I have tried.

I am using KAV6, not KIS. I am happy with LnS firewall, Ewido, and SAS.

I might also say that I have everything running with KAV, ie nothing is unchecked in the way of PDM or HTTP or anything else. It all is operating. Now 'aint that sumpin?

As to F-Secure I am happy with it. While I slightly prefer KAV, I intend to keep F-Secure until at least July 2007. If the price is right I will probably continue with it. However, at the same price I would go to KAV at this point in time.

Just for fun I might even trial Avira, but while I am impressed with its performance, I am not going to start changing my AV everytime something makes the "top two" and exceeds KAV by a few tenths of a percentage.

I see your point i wouldnt eiether. i only want to switch because i can get same detection with kaspersky as f-secure but with less resourse used and a better interface. ichecker and istreams is great technology i mean one two hour scan then 6 minute scan after. f-secure scans are always like 2hour scans.

I see your point i wouldnt eiether. i only want to switch because i can get same detection with kaspersky as f-secure but with less resourse used and a better interface. ichecker and istreams is great technology i mean one two hour scan then 6 minute scan after. f-secure scans are always like 2hour scans.

lodore

Click to expand...

I don't blame you. f-Secure does scan slower, but about 40-45 minutes is the time for my system. My laptop does not have a lot on it, but F-Secure does not take more time, or as I recall, than Bit Defender scans. I just let it scan and go eat or whatever.

Let us know how Avira does if you go for it. It has caused some measure of interest with its latest detection rates.
I tend to think that when the Retro tests are done, the combination of retro, and on-demand just might make Avira the top AV overall. My impression is that it gives some update problems.

I can tell you my experience with it. i installed it on my sisters laptop. its on full settings aka scan all files all extended threat catgeries all archives. no slow down at all fast bootup. fast scanning. opening folders isnt anyslower.

I have a problem with F-Secure Internet Security 2006. Apart from the fact that the list of running processes is absurd, I have been finding for the last few weeks that when I shut down my PC, it hangs on the 'Saving your settings' screen, and I have to power off manually. The problem is rectified 100%, if I first shut down F-Secure, before shutting down my PC..

Click to expand...

F-secure Internet Security 2006 is a product made from different applications (Firewall, Antivirus, Rootkit Scanner, Antispyware, Antispam, Browser Control and System Control) cleverly woven to work without internal conflicts. Any other application or system settings that disturbs the harmony between the F-secure internal apps may lead to slow downs, freezing or even crashes.

IMHO it will take knowing a lot more about your system setup for anyone to offer help. F-secure MUST be configured for YOUR syetem to work well and faster.

ye I know but im trying to find a product where i can run other antispyware apps alongside it. I hate having to just use one app for each one. atm im using spysweeper but thats gonna go spyware blaster is still installed. but i will replace it when the license is run out if not before.

F-secure Internet Security 2006 is a product made from different applications (Firewall, Antivirus, Rootkit Scanner, Antispyware, Antispam, Browser Control and System Control) cleverly woven to work without internal conflicts. Any other application or system settings that disturbs the harmony between the F-secure internal apps may lead to slow downs, freezing or even crashes.

IMHO it will take knowing a lot more about your system setup for anyone to offer help. F-secure MUST be configured for YOUR syetem to work well and faster.

Click to expand...

lodore said:

ye I know but im trying to find a product where i can run other antispyware apps alongside it. I hate having to just use one app for each one. atm im using spysweeper but thats gonna go spyware blaster is still installed. but i will replace it when the license is run out if not before.

Click to expand...

I agree with lodore. Why should F-Secure need to be so intricately set up to work without conflicts, when other security applications are happy to work alongside the likes of Spyware Blaster? A piece of software should be compliant with other software, otherwise it's like saying you want to move into that house, but all the other neighbours in the street have got to move out! I have just had a reply from the support guys at F-Secure, who suggested I do Start > Run > type "Net Stop FSMA" before shutting down Windows, and also remove Mail Washer. Well, I am not prepared to fiddle about shutting down individual components each time I want to shut down my PC, and I am also not about to remove Mail Washer, which is bought and paid for, so it's goodbye F-Secure (which, incidentally, was also bought and paid for), and I'm sticking to KIS.

ye I know but im trying to find a product where i can run other antispyware apps alongside it...

Click to expand...

My OPINION ONLY, please take what say below as a POSSIBLY TRUE since I am not an F-secure employee or rep.

As you may be aware, Lavasoft Ad-aware SE cannot be used with F-secure IS 2006 since the bundled Antispyware in F-secure is Lavasoft's own Ad-aware PRO version. Ewido and Spy Doctor seem to work smoother alongside F-secure compared to Spy Sweeper ( a critical component of SS known as Spy communicator will cripple F-secure if installed). It always helps to install F-secure Internet Security 2006 first and disabling its real-time AS scanning and system control before installing any other security app.

The issue here is that F-secure is built from multiple scanners or daemon modules that are assigned to defend/monitor different parts of a system depending on current system activity. For example launching an e-mail client triggers the internet shield daemon which starts real-time scanning of incoming/outgoing e-mail.

This modules that keep pouncing at any/all activity causes conflicts with other apps and may slow the system especially when more than one module is active at the same time. Case in point, I will avoid loading a CD/DVD (which triggers one daemon module) whilst launching an e-mail client(triggering a different daemon module).

SSM completely crashed both F-secure Internet Security 2006 and stand-alone F-secure Antivirus 2006 even when F-secure System Control was disabled, I was left puzzled.

All the three systems run flawlessly and very fast. Each PC has at least 2 Gig RAM and the slowest is a Pentium 4 HT running at 3 GHz. OF Course the slowest scan times are from the two systems with F-secure products ( ~20 mins) whilst the NOD 32 PC is scanned in ~ 10 mins.

FS2006 ran well w/ BOClean no prob, and ewido on demand. but now using NOD32, BOClean. faster bootup like 5X faster

Click to expand...

The difference is too much, ALL my family PCs described above boot in less than a minute. I do not deny your experience, it seems many people have a rough experience with F-secure products and they do not even seem to get much help from F-secure support.